New compact safety light barriers for the food processing industry
Schmersal has developed
a new series of safety light barriers that are suitable for hygienesensitive applications in the packaging and foodprocessing industries, such as milk and meat processing. With a diameter of 62mm and a height of 115mm, the single-beam light barriers in the SLB series are extremely compact. This makes them ideal for thermoforming machinery for food packaging, for use on cutting equipment or on other machinery with narrow installation spaces.
SLB440 light barriers with IP69 degree of protection
SLB440 light barriers have been designed along the lines of the SLC/ SLG440 IP69 safety light curtains and grids, which have been widely used in the food-processing and packaging industries for years. The new single-beam light barriers have been designed to cope with the high levels of stress placed upon them by the cleaning processes that are commonplace to these industries.
Stainless steel locking caps – PC safety tubes
The new AOPD product line has also been created based on the principles of hygienic design. The locking caps on the SLB440 are made of stainless steel (V4A) as are the cable inlet, pressure equalisation diaphragm and
fastening parts. Made of polycarbonate (PC), the transparent protective tubes not only offer high resistance to cleaning agents, but also withstand strong mechanical loads. If spray lances should accidentally strike the SLC440 IP69‘s enclosure during pressure washing in food production, the safety and protection function will continue to work thanks to the robust protective tubes. The materials thus ensure higher process reliability as well as a lengthy safety light barrier service life. The independent testing laboratory Ecolab has also verified the high resistance of the materials used in these components.
Integrated evaluation
The AOPD series features integrated evaluation with two safety outputs that are connected directly to the higher-level control system. Additional features of this AOPD series are the integrated setup aid and straightforward connection option with M12 connector (4-pole or 5-pole).
The SLB440 light barrier achieves Performance Level Ple, type 4.
Visit Schmersal at Hannover Messe between 17th-21st April 2023: Stand D09, Hall 09 www.schmersal.com www.tecnicum.com
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Industrial Processing
Industrial Processing includes a vast range of potential applications for perforated products. RMIG has extensive experience in the chemical, pharmaceutical, paper, and offshore industries, to name a few. From small, high precision perforation in thin materials to large holes in thick sheets used in the mining industry, RMIG has the knowledge, versatility, and tooling to deliver products according to customers’ requirements.
Bridge Slot
The RMIG Bridge Slot sheets play an essential role when it comes to the design and manufacture of biomass drying floors. The combination of sheet thickness and opening size allows RMIG’s sheets to be used either as a suspended floor in wood chip drying containers and trailers, or as drive-on drying floors in outdoor buildings.
Food Processing
RMIG’s Food Processing market sector meets the high levels of hygiene demanded by the food processing industry. Perforated screens are also strong with important thermal capabilities, making them useful for a wide range of food processing applications. RMIG’s tailor made perforated solutions are ideal for cleaning, heating and steaming in food production environments. Whether it’s baking trays, cereal cleaning or ingredient conveyors, all of RMIG’s perforated materials can be customised for each application.
For more information, please visit: www.rmig.com Telephone: 01925 839610 | email: info.uk@rmig.com
publication
Lining system a ‘gamechanger’ in battle with high-rise damp
One of the UK’s leading drainage and wastewater specialists is promising to transform the rehabilitation of vertical drainage stacks in high-rise buildings with a revolutionary LED pipe lining system.
Lanes Group plc has proven it can significantly speed up the previously difficult process of lining both rainwater and foul stack pipes, with less disruption, using far less energy and creating less material waste.
The company has become the first contractor in the UK to line tall building drain stacks using the Brawo Magnavity LED light cured in place pipe (CIPP) system supplied by trenchless technology specialist S1E.
The system makes lining drains in high-rise buildings much easier and more sustainable, just at a time when problems caused by faulty drainage systems are becoming a maintenance priority for social housing landlords.
Lanes is lining stacks on high-rise blocks of flats for a main contractor working for a West Midlands council. The results have been so successful that more blocks are
being added to the programme.
The Brawo Magnavity system uses LED light to cure the resin. Its LED light array is combined with a powerful electric magnet that holds the lights in place as the liner is inverted into the pipe with compressed air.
Once the liner is in place, the light pack, with its 96 UV LED lights, detaches from the magnet and cures the resin at a speed of up to 0.6 meters a minute as it is pulled back through the pipe.
Lanes is able to install and cure each of the 47-metre-long stack liners for its West Midland client in around two hours.
T 0800 526488 www.lanesfordrains.co.uk
New Indoor Air Quality Monitor
Introducing EasyLog’s new WiFi Indoor Air Quality Monitor – The EL-WEM
The EL-WEM is an Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) monitor, designed to help ensure high levels of air quality at work and in the home. Measuring particulate matter, VOCs, temperature, humidity and pressure the EL-WEM is designed with your comfort and safety in mind.
Easy to set up using the EasyLog Cloud App, the EL-WEM uses a five-stage traffic light system to rate air quality from Excellent down to Inadequate, displaying colours from green through to red with each light corresponding to the status of the air quality (Excellent, Good, Fair, Poor and Inadequate). A sounder alerts those nearby if IAQ drops to Poor or Inadequate.
The EL-WEM’s sophisticated sensors
measure both PM2.5 and PM10 particulate matter, and also VOCs that come from paints, lacquers, and paint strippers, cleaning products, furnishings, glues, adhesives and alcohol.
When connected to the EasyLog Cloud, your EL-WEM can be configured to send notifications of poor air quality by email and SMS messages. You can also view, analyse and download your measured data.
View and purchase the EL-WEM here and keep an eye out for the rest of the EL-WEM range coming out soon.
Your data, anytime, anywhere.
T +44 (0)1794 884567 sales@lascar.co.uk www.lascarelectronics.com Facebook https://www.facebook. com/lascarelectronicsinc
Test & Measurements
New products launched for force, torque transducer and pressure measurement
Interface Force Measurements Ltd is a leading force, torque, transducer and pressure measurement specialist, recognised internationally for its benchmarked manufactured load cells.
Established in 1996 by Neil Johnstone, the business has expanded exponentially to include world-class customers such as: Airbus, BAE Systems, Agusta Westland Helicopters, Formula One Teams, Automotive Manufacturers and Test Rig manufacturers.
With a base in Crowthorn, Berkshire, Interface distributes to the UK, Ireland and internationally: notably Turkey, Greece and the Middle East.
Its flagship distribution products are load cells, expertly manufactured in-house by Arizona-based Interface Inc., alongside the Torque Transducers, associated electronics, multi-axis Load Cells and the XSensor Pressure Mapping systems.
The load cells are favoured by aerospace companies for force measurement due to the innate accurate and repeatable, precision results. Interface Force has repeat custom with automotive, motorsport, universities and medical companies carrying out product development research, including popular demand for load cells for weighing saline bags.
Tony Rokins, Business Development & Pressure Mapping Specialist tells us about the latest exclusive Interface
developments, “We have just introduced a couple of new products – The 9325 hand-held digital display indicator.
“This is a replacement and upgrade to our popular 9320 indicator. It can be used to display readings from any force, torque or pressure transducer with mV/V output, up to a sensitivity of ±1 V/V. The 9325 has a microprocessor with 24-bit internal resolution, 2,400 samples per second device and features TEDs (Transducer Electrical Datasheet).”
The upgraded 9325 can interface with any full bridge sensor, with the capability of a live calibration of transducers and comes TEDs-ready. The Interface engineers have designed 9325 with improved memory capabilities: up to six calibration ranges for varying loading settings or different devices. Amazingly, it will even remember the calibration of the previous 20 TEDS devices, using its superior automated recognition feature.
The new digital indicator is easily powered using 2x AA batteries and compatible with any Load Cell, torque transducer or other transducer with mV/V output. In addition, it can be used with any TEDS transducer using templates 33, 40 or 4 and has a Backlit display, 128 x 64.
The 9325 hand-held digital display indicator set-up is remarkably quick and easy but Interface will offer a set-up service for customers who purchase the device with a load cell or other mV/V device.
“The other new product is our Super SC mini S-Beam. This is a low-cost, general-purpose load cell, available in capacities from 100N (25lbf) to 5,000N (1klbf). The Super SC is an environmentally-sealed load cell that’s insensitive to off-axis loading.”
This small-form factor S-Beam load cell has high stiffness and low defection and is ideal for OEM applications. It gives first-rate resistance to off-axis loads, compared to standard S-Beam designs.
The innovation doesn’t stop there as Interface are looking to launch a new remote monitoring application later this year, “We are currently working on a remote monitoring application. The idea is to enable customers to monitor data from their load cells, torque transducers or pressure sensors. They will be able to display data on their Android or iOS devices from anywhere in the world. We are currently planning on launching this service at the EIS’s Instrumentation, Analysis and Testing event at Silverstone in May.
“We are always looking for the brightest minds in the business to join us and we have welcomed some recent, new additions to the team: James and Luke. James has come to us with lots of experience, helping us to improve our business support operations. Luke has come to us straight from university with a degree in mechanical engineering. Luke is growing into a technical sales/tech support role. We are pleased to have them both on board and look forward to helping them grow their careers.”
Interface will be attending trade exhibitions throughout 2023 and would be delighted to talk to new and existing customers, catch them at the following events:
V Instrumentation, Analysis & Testing Expo: The Silverstone Wing, Silverstone Race Track 16th May
V Manufacturing and Engineering Week: NEC. 7th-8th June
V Automotive Testing Expo Europe: Messe, Stuttgart 13th-15th June
V Advanced Engineering Expo: NEC 1st-2nd November
The new 9325 hand-held digital display is available to order online at: https://store.interfaceforce.co.uk
For more information in Interface, please see the details below: T +44 (0)1344 776666 info@interface.uk.com www.interfaceforce.co.uk
Deep hole drilling experts expand production capability, to meet increased demand
We like to showcase industrial best practice and, in this issue, Best Practice Recommends UNISIG for its leading global machinery manufacturing specialism in deep hole drilling.
UNISIG is a world-leading American producer of deep hole drilling machines, supplying to everyone from smaller bespoke companies to large original equipment manufacturers (OEM). As leading experts, UNISIG has the expertise to provide precision-driven machinery for every job, with its complete deep hole drilling solution from machinery, tools to automation.
Since its inception in 1981, UNISIG has built up an enviable position in the industry with its unrivalled production of gun drilling and deep hole drilling machines. In 1995, it was acquired by Entrust Manufacturing Technologies and moved to the Milwaukee headquarters.
With a dominant installation presence across the world: Europe, Asia and America, UNISIG has a strong customer base across the aerospace, automotive, energy, firearms, hydraulic cylinders, military and medical sectors.
UNISIG has the design engineering expertise to design and develop machinery for other deep hole procedures from: BTA, gun drilling, counterboring/reaming, pull boring, trepanning, skiving and roller burnishing, bottle boring, bottom forming and many more.
Boring and Trepanning Association (BTA)
drilling has been revolutionised by UNISIG’s high powered B-series, allowing precision drilling of 25mm to 500mm, up to 20m deep, perfect for the vast majority of BTA drilling applications. For rigid, deep hole drilling, the larger swing B-series has a powerful drive, with state-of-the-art smart controls, giving high usability with unlimited capability.
Philipp Steimle, Sales and Service manager for Europe talked us through planned developments for the next 12 months,
“As we have seen a lot of disrupted supply channels, our company is expanding its own manufacturing department. The recently installed Kellenberger CNC grinding machine will allow us to finish all the drilling spindles inhouse. The next eight weeks will see us installing a laser cutting machine and a CNC – press brake as well as welding stations, so that we can do all
the guarding and coolant reservoirs in-house to avoid delays in our machine building.
“One of our latest developments was the UNE6 series for medical instrument drilling. With machines that feature two independent drilling units on one machine bed and a robot work piece loading and even an automatic tool changer, this was a game changer for the medical industry. The product was a big hit in the market and we have struggled to build them fast enough! We are investing in more in-house production rather than external third parties, to keep on top of our orders.”
In 2019, the Milwaukee facility at global headquarters was already expanded by over 100,000sqft, hugely expanding production capabilities. The recent CNC grinding machine addition will certainly propel production further. With all the production facility
currently upgrading, The UNISIG Tech Centre in Milwaukee has continued pressing forward with testing and innovative design engineering. If a customer needs a custom-built drilling machine, the expert team of engineers can design a prototype quickly, to specific requirements.
UNISIG ships machinery and parts quickly across the world, offering routine servicing and repairs both remotely and on-site. Installation can be carried out anywhere across the world, by the expert team of in-house engineers.
The UNISIG website has the full machinery range, with high-resolution photos and full specification capability, including hole depth (in mm.)
Best Practice Recommends UNISIG for its expert, high-quality machinery in the deep hole drilling industry, with its decades’ long commitment to innovation and customer service.
The UNISIG team will be showcasing its innovative, AI-driven machinery capability at EMO Hannover: the world’s leading trade fair for production technology from the 18- 23 September.
The team will be happy to answer enquiries from across all sectors.
For more information on UNISIG, see the website below: www.unisig.com
Commitment to Excellence
Feel safe with us: Leading turnkey food hygiene solutions
In this issue of Best Practice, we are recognising Christeyns Food Hygiene with our Commitment to Excellence, for exceptional hygiene solutions across the food industry.
According to The Foods Standards Agency, exceptional food hygiene is at the forefront of the UK food industry: from cleaning, chilling, crosscontamination to cooking: ensuing only the best food products are served in restaurants and line our supermarket shelves.
Warrington-based Christeyns Food Hygiene is a leading supplier of chemicals, as part of its specialised engineering and hygiene solutions package to the food and beverage industry.
These precision-driven solutions include: central and decentral cleaning and disinfection systems to dosing systems, ultrasonic cleaning installations and access control equipment. The additional specialities such as dry lubrication and fogging systems, foam generators and washers for moulds, complete the range.
Christeyns Food Hygiene is part of Christeyns UK: covering three paramount areas of hygiene: food hygiene, laundry and professional hygiene.
Christeyns NV is the parent company and was established in 1946 in Gent, Belgium as a familyrun business. The company has grown in size and reputation, offering a holistic approach to hygiene solutions as Peter Littleton, UK Technical Director explains, “We don’t just sell chemicals: we offer support and assured expertise to our customers. All of our employees have direct food hygiene experience as previous food industry managers: this gives assured credibility and genuine understanding. They know what it feels like to be phoned at 3am, when the water supply gets turned off, creating empathy with our customer base.
“As a privately-owned company, we don’t have to trudge through layers of bureaucracy to make key decisions on case-studies or research, we have the autonomy to make these decisions quickly.
“Think of us as a giant tanker, in terms of our expertise but with the flexibility of a small motorboat, quickly manoeuvring and changing direction.”
Christeyns Food Hygiene work with many customers across the food and beverage industry: dairy, food retail, meat and fish, beverage brewery, baking and confectionary, processed food and fruit and veg, offering a complete solution of detergent, disinfectant, application and dosing
systems, lubricants and personnel hygiene products. A thorough cleaning and disinfection regime is essential in warding off microbiological contamination and pathogens.
“Food scares sell newspapers, ruins livelihoods and shatter communities: from salmonella, E. Coli and listeria, it is imperative for food companies to adhere to the strictest food hygiene regimes. At Christeyns Food Hygiene, we have worked with leading food brands from Quorn, Muller to Greggs, and new customers are discovering us every week.
“However, as aforementioned, we’re not just in the business of supplying chemicals, we also offer training programmes through the Christeyns Academy,” adds Peter.
With detailed courses on everything from personal hygiene for food handlers, open plant cleaning (OPC) awareness, to microbiology in food processing: food operators and managers can undertake the latest training, to ensure best practice. The courses embody a dynamic content: a lively mix of theoretical and practical learning, to offer maximum learning consolidation and retention.
Christeyns Food Hygiene shows commitment to excellence across all areas from customer support, excellent chemical product range, expert training and liaison with leading bodies such as The Society of Food Hygiene and Technology (SOFHT) and Anaphylaxis UK, as Peter elaborates, “We are always looking at new ways to improve our products, ensuring optimal food hygiene solutions for all our customers. This year we are researching enzyme-based detergents and the early results are indeed promising. We use cutting-edge software such as InSite-CIP to not only maintain the highest possible food hygiene standards but also save our customers money, which during the current costof-living crisis is greatly welcomed.”
During 2022, Christeyns Food Hygiene carried out a InSite Cleaning in Place (CIP) case-study with an existing InSite liquid milk customer in North West England. The InSite specialist software is engineered to inform, evaluate and verify CIP regimes. It also has the advantage of helping optimise cleans, which can save companies thousands on water, energy and chemicals.
In this particular case-study, the optimisation focussed on the pre-rinse and final rinse cycle times for two of the finished milk streams and cream ageing tanks.
The results clearly showed that the implementation of potential savings highlighted by InSite were in the region of a phenomenal 9,000 cubic metres of fresh water annually, over £46,000 in chemical consumption and annual returns of 374 added production hours. This evidence-based case-study shows the incredible potential annual savings for in this case, the dairy industry but it can be transferred to any food industry.
The future looks bright for Christeyns Food Hygiene and the latest strategic partnerships with hygiene equipment application specialist H&M disinfection systems Ltd as well as specialist hygiene equipment manufacture Foamico, which will provide a joint complete turn-key solution for further enhanced cleaning and disinfection operations. The H&M disinfection equipment and installation expertise, Foamico’s innovative control systems and pump-sets, combined with Christeyns Food Hygiene’s own existing formulations will offer customers a complete package.
For further information, please see the details below: T 01925 234696
UK-foodinfo@christeyns.com www.christeyns.com
Pumps & Drainage
Oliver Twinsafe Customise Valve for Gryphon FPSO
Oliver Twinsafe manufactures a 10” x 8”, 900-class valve as a customised solution for the Maersk Gryphon floating production, storage and offloading vessel (FPSO) that’s now owned by Total Energies and is operating 200 miles off the Aberdeen coast.
The vessel is connected to subsea well clusters at a water depth of 112 metres, and equipped with topside production facilities to separate gas, oil, water mixtures and compression of gas for export.
Offshore installations such as an FPSO, give critical consideration to the space and weight of valve design, so compact design is key. Twinsafe manufactured a valve to a Compact Standard Length (CSL), with face-toface dimensions in accordance with
ASME B16.10. The double block and bleed design allows the valve to be installed within the same space as a single isolated ball valve, but with two isolates and a bleed valve positioned in between to maximise safety.
The first isolated ball valve is fitted with a Rotork spring pneumatic actuator that’s fitted with a limit switch for remote and local visual indication of the valve position, and a control panel containing the air filter regulator and solenoid valve. The second isolated valve is fitted with a manual gearbox.
To find the perfect valve solution for your project, telephone Oliver Valves on: +44 (0)1565 632636 or visit their website at: www.valves.co.uk
Future flood map points to need for site drainage optimisation
The most detailed predictions yet about how future floods could affect local areas across the UK point to the urgent need for businesses to optimise their site drainage systems, says Lanes Group plc.
Scientists have created a future flood map that has identified flood hotspots likely to emerge as climate change accelerates, making weather more volatile, the BBC has reported.
The research, carried out by Bristol University and flood consultancy Fathom, reveals locations in England, Scotland and Wales that could be hardest hit by flooding over the coming years.
Lanes Group Development Director Richard Leigh said, “More accurate modelling like this is going to be crucial as we move into an era where volatile weather patterns makes flooding more likely.
“The maps show how a business may be at risk of flooding, while another very close-by may escape the deluge. These predictive tools can help property owners and managers, both residential and commercial, plan their flood defences to prevent damage or minimise it.
“A business at the epicentre of a huge flood event is unlikely to escape being affected. But those on the margins, or where flooding is less intense, can do a lot to protect their premises by ensuring their site drainage systems are working effectively.”
The annual cost of flood damage across the UK currently, according to the Association of British Insurers, is £700 million a year.
The researchers have found that annual damage figure could increase by over 20% over the next century.
They created their future flood map by simulating all types of flooding in the coming decades.
Information about terrain, river flow, rainfall patterns and sea level was fed into the model to create the most detailed picture currently possible about how homes and businesses will be affected.
Lanes, the UK’s largest independent wastewater and drainage specialist, has developed a 6-step checklist, which can form a critical element of a site drainage resilience review.
1. Know your flood risks
Use all evidence, including this latest research and advice from the Local Flood Authority, to assess the local flood risk, bearing in mind that the level of risk can change over time, depending on factors such as the level of local development.
2. Assess your drainage system
Have an accurate and up-to-date site drainage map. Every one of Lanes’ 22 depots can be commissioned to carry out a CCTV site drainage survey to establish the condition of drains and sewers across any premises.
3. Carry out planned preventative maintenance (PPM)
In the long-term, preventing flooding is less costly than clearing up after it has occurred. Therefore, having a PPM schedule in place makes the best sense. System cleaning and flushing will reduce the risk of localised flooding disrupting business activities.
4. Address site drainage problems
If site drainage problems, such as pooling of water and slow draining of toilets and sinks, are already apparent, deal with them now, and take steps to prevent assets being compromised, for example by wet wipes being flushed down toilets.
5. Assess wider drainage issues
Off-site issues may increase flood risks, for example, if a local water course is blocked. Raising these issues with relevant authorities and property owners is an important step.
6. Prepare an emergency plan
Businesses must also be ready if the worst does happen. Ensuring a site flood response plan is built into business continuity planning is vital.
Having rapid access to a reputable drainage specialist that has all the expertise and specialist vehicles to deal with flooding problems, could be the difference between an inconvenience and catastrophe.
T 0800 526488 www.lanesgroup.co.uk
Pumps & Valves
Leading the way in recyclable pump technology
The first Quantex pump was invented by Quantex Founder, Dr Paul Pankhurst, to create a less expensive, more accurate alternative to a peristaltic pump. Several years of R&D and customer collaborations, led to the successful development of several off-the-shelf, recyclable pumps with varying flow-rate ranges. In June 2021, Quantex was acquired by PSG, an operating company of Dover Corporation and now sits alongside 13 other pump and flow measurement brands.
Since the acquisition, Quantex has moved its headquarters to Duisburg, Germany where it benefits from the established resources and clean room facilities already in place for other PSG brands: Quattroflow, Almatec, and Hydro. Quantex’s London office and dedicated manufacturing plant in High Wycombe are still in operation.
“Quantex is the leading provider of recyclable pump technology, where, instead of the pump being a part of the fixed equipment, it
is attached directly to the liquid packaging – similar to the way a tap is already connected to a bag in box of wine. But instead of pressing the tap and allowing liquid to dribble out using gravity, the pump is clipped into a motor drive in the fixed equipment, and the product is dispensed accurately, at a range of precision flow rates suitable for all kinds of liquids. When the product supply is finished, you simply replace the bag and pump with a new bag and pump,” stated Gillian HardingMoore, Director – Marketing.
Quantex’s system is extremely hygienic and requires no costly cleaning or maintenance. The Quantex pumps also maintain vacuum capability which equips them with the ability to handle high viscosities such as mayonnaise, hair conditioner, or glue, and can evacuate the bag by 98%.
“The pumps can also reverse cycle which is widely used for cleaning the nozzle at the end of each dispense by sucking the product back into the pump. Another very exciting capability is its in-pump dilution option, where it can pump high-ratio concentrates, and accurately mix them with water at the point of dispense. This takes water out of the distribution channel, saving the customer both money and carbon emissions from shipping their products around the world,” added Gillian.
With the drive to save single-use plastic waste, the wealth of benefits of using Quantex pumps has been recognised by UK and European supermarkets, who have been attempting to trial refill stations, where consumers bring their reusable bottles to refill in stores instead of using single use pre-packaged goods. Dispensing liquids has been proving to be too expensive and labour intensive for shop-floor staff.
“Quantex technology provides the key enabler for scaling up refill in supermarkets, with a low maintenance, low cost and flexible solution that can be standardised for dispensing virtually any fluid. Quantex is working with several refill equipment manufacturers,
Materials Handling Product Specialists
Quality operations deserve quality products and Bryant Plastics Ltd are doing their bit to ensure every business keeps moving forward with their range of moving and handling roll cages, trucks, barrows and self-levelling units. The vast range comes in all shapes and sizes and have a multitude of uses
for a variety of industries including warehousing, logistics, oil-rigs, laundries, construction, textile manufacturers, hospitals and many more.
Bryant Plastics Ltd have been manufacturing high quality materials handling equipment for over 40 years in the heart of Yorkshire and are the largest manufacturer of laundry & linen cages (roll containers) in the UK. We pride ourselves on the quality and durability of our products, whilst providing cost-effective and competitive solutions to our customers.
handling equipment and are the UK’s leading manufacturer of Plastic roll cages. We pride ourselves in the quality of our products which are manufactured to the highest standard.”
who are designing their next generation of dispensers around the Quantex system.” Gillian continued, “Several global brands and retailers are excited by the early prototypes that allows product replenishment to be 75% faster, with no cleaning or maintenance, and no drips that cause dangerous slip hazards in supermarket isles. The aim is to provide a better refill experience for consumers and therefore, encourage more refill adoption. The first machines are planned to be in European supermarket trials in 2023. It is an exciting market to be in, as it is just the beginning of a big change to the way we shop, and Quantex is sitting at the heart of the movement.”
As the company looks ahead, in addition to Refill, Quantex is moving into the Biopharma market, and aligning with other Dover brands; Quattroflow®, em-tec, Malema®, and CPC® Gillian added, “The alignment will strengthen our PSG offering, providing pumps, flow measurement solutions and connectors that serve cell and gene therapy and bioprocessing needs from early process development through to upstream and downstream applications.”
T +49 (2065) 89205-0
www.quantex-arc.com
Bryant Plastics Ltd continually work with their customers to ensure that the products adapt as systems change and improve ensuring their products always meet the evolving needs of their customers and continue to be the best on the market.
The products are manufactured from virgin grade polyethylene making them tough workhorses that can withstand the day-to-day use in the many industries they supply.
Manufacturing the products from virgin material also means that they can easily be recycled at the end of their long life. Yvonne Bryant says, “It needs to be said that not all plastic is bad plastic and the virgin grade plastic we use can be recycled and still be in use 100 years from now.”
There are many reasons to use the products from Bryant Plastics Ltd, the roll cages are lighter and easier to maneuver than their metal counterparts, they don’t rust, are more hygienic being easy to clean and they can be branded. Yvonne Bryant says, “Customers love our cages because they don’t get stolen or ‘reappropriated’.” The self levelling trucks are a health and safety game changer in many industries and can be a revolution in industries where back problems are an issue due to the repetitive strain from bending down into trucks.
Products can be manufactured from the existing range or bespoke for the clients particular requirement, browse the range at: www.bryantplastics.co.uk, call on: 01535 357480 or email: sales@bryantplastics.co.uk.
Automation Leading automation machines for die-making, sign-making and metal & plastic fabrication
LP Systems Ltd has over 25 years’ experience providing leading automation systems for die-making, sign making, metal and plastic fabrication. This leading company offers a complete turn-key package for customers, around the UK and across Europe.
Based in Nuneaton, at Attleborough Fields Industrial Estate, the company provides an unrivalled product range. These include: laser cutting machines, Easybender automated bending and processing systems and a full range of plastic fabrication equipment.
The dedicated Sales & Engineering team offer a fully comprehensive solution package from: initial site survey, full installation, user training, aftersales care, servicing, maintenance and breakdown cover.
Firstly, automation solutions in plastic fabrication include the cutting-edge, renowned Cutlite Penta systems. These are designed for: cut plastics, metal and die boards across the paper industry. Over the last decade, Cutlite Penta has partnered with Ot-Las: a leading Italian brand for the streamlined development of the CO2 laser galvanometers for artisan engraving and decoration.
The LTS Cutlite Penta (CP) RF systems are perfect for a diverse range of applications from: plastics cutting, wood and textile machining. The compact dimensions can even cut through metal, utilising a capacitive head, making this an exceptionally versatile laser machine. Capable of precision-cutting dimensions, due to CO2 laserradio frequency compatibility, this robust laser machinery offers accurate finishings every time.
The PLUS Cutlite Penta (CP) RF systems however, are the perfect choice for PMMA+ Acrylic laser cutting. The in-built CO2 laser radio frequency sources optimise premium laser cutting. The engineered versatility allows this popular machine to be used for plastics and metal, providing a one-stop shop across differing applications. The capacitive head can be manoeuvred to the cutting head, in cases of metal laser cutting applications. The magnetic linear motors function on board the axes, propel dual cutting head acceleration up to 2,5g and speeds of up to 140 meters per minute.
The PLUS CP RF is the industry’s choice for larger volumes of quality manufacturing in plastics cutting, providing a cost-effective streamlined process.
Secondly, LP Systems offer leading die-making machines for streamlined automated solutions, from the renowned Cutlite Penta to the SDS Korea.
The LTF (CP) system is the perfect solution for diemakers and in-house die shops, with potential El.En. radio frequency sources offering powers from 750W to 850W, in addition to the LTF system cutting head. This model works quickly, completing finished die boards in record times, due to the cutting head and optional marking head installations. The LP Systems engineers can install the model quickly, allowing production the following day and the integrated control panel, electrical unit and laser source are all designed for streamlined operations.
Lastly, LP Systems can provide cutting-edge sign-making machines, providing fully automated sign-making operations from hole punching to fast bending. The revolutionary Channel Bender SXP letter system for channel letter forming has all the properties to make traditional face-lit through to hybrid channel letter forming. Producing a timeless, beautiful finish, the letters can be almost any height and from 25.4mm to 203.2mm deep.
For further information, please see the details below: T 024 76374210
sales@lp-systems.co.uk www.lp-systems.co.uk
The fully height-adjustable hydraulic hole punching unit removes manual drilling of 6.35mm drain holes and 3.175mm pilot holes for rivets and screws.
Importers utilise Chinese rail service, reducing ocean transit times!
Here at Best practice, we are recommending Davies Turner as the leading international freight operator for its innovative thinking despite global economic and warfare challenges.
Davies Turner was founded an astonishing 150 years ago in 1870 as the first fully legitimate economic operator in Europe and now a truly international freight forwarder. With such established longevity comes a trusted reputation within the industry. The latest exciting expansion is an express freight rail service across Asia from China departing twice weekly from Wuhan in the central Hubei Chinese province. The LCL rail service currently departs on Wednesdays and Saturdays, directly to a UK rail terminal and takes approximately 20-25 days from door-to-terminal. Shipping rates from Asia to the UK increased exponentially last year to a record 14 times higher than pre-COVID-19 rates.
Industry analyst S&P Global Platts saw costs rocket to $18,000 per container with shipping transit schedules double from 35 to 70 days. The Chinese rail links are notably faster than sea freight (saving approximately 22 days) and on average it is 70% cheaper than air freight, offering customers a quicker alternative to more traditional transportation. It is this kind of ingenious, bold thinking that has maintained Davies Turner’s position as a leading International Freight Forwarder.
With 23 UK branches including its head office in London this company successfully swerved the fallout from COVID-19 by thinking outside the box. Andrew Ford, Branch Manager from
the Rotherham branch focuses on less conventional transportation,
“We specialise in awkward and out of gauge shipments. We have shipped many vehicles ranging in sizes and type to small rail engines as well as large machinery moves.”
Although the majority of the pandemic restrictions have lifted alongside a slow reduction in shipping costs, there are new unprecedented challenges from the war in Ukraine,
organised port strikes and the cost-ofliving crisis as Andrew highlights,
“Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has had various impacts on various different industries: freight and logistics being one of them. The port of Odessa was shut down for almost six months after the city was hit with Russian missiles. Ukraine is a big part of the global food industry, exporting grain
via the sea out of Odessa. With this coming to a temporary halt, global food prices have shot up with the limitation of grain available for food production. This has also affected the freight industry as fuel rates increase and has in effect accelerated a global recession.”
As an International Freight Forwarder, the company is at the mercy of world events such as the war in Ukraine and to mitigate further risk, is always looking for positive news to pass onto end-user customers. Whilst shipping transit rates continue to fall after peaking last year, Andrew is confident that the company can ride the storm of new challenges ahead.
“The cost-of-living crisis may affect how much manufacturers are able to import and export, due to consumers not being able to afford buy these goods. However, we hope that the freight rates dropping will make it so that manufacturers will still be able to afford to ship and import goods to keep the supply chain moving.”
As the company continues to navigate its way through many challenging
external aspects it has continued to receive many heavyweight industry awards. In 2020 Davies Turner won not only the coveted European Logistics Category Award from The British International Freight Association (BIFA) but was also shortlisted for the Supply Chain Management category. Philip Stephenson, Chairman of the Davies Turner group was delighted, “Davies Turner is well known for its comprehensive European overland portfolio which offers direct groupage, part load and full load trailer services with dedicated express transit and super-express options. The market for European overland operations is very mature and highly commoditised, so the opportunities to differentiate the service offering are limited. Furthermore, a significant proportion of the traffic on the network is booked and contributed by other freight forwarding and logistics companies, which do not operate their own services. Increasingly these important third party coloaders have sought the ability to obtain immediate rates for any of our European overland export and import trailer services in real time, without having to resort to time-consuming telephone calls, emails or filling in online quotation request forms.”
The ingenious unique selling proposition of e-freight quotations and third-party bookings 24 hours a day has led to a substantial increase in business development, especially across the European sector.
With digital innovation and the express Chinese rail system, Davies Turner will be leading freight forwarding services well into the next future.
For an Air, Sea, Road freight quotation and further information, see the details below: T 01709 529709
Enimac releases NEW tape application automation solution
Enimac was founded in 2013 by a tape converter in northern Italy, Biemme Adesivi. The synergy created gave clients in Italy access not only to tape, but to machines, better known as tape application solutions. Over the years, Enimac has slowly expanded this philosophy worldwide by partnering with tape companies and tape converters to add its automation to their tapes, offering their clients the same complete tape and automation solution.
Today, Enimac’s headquarters are situated in Cornaredo on the outskirts of Milan in Italy, where the company continues its work to design, develop, and manufacture solutions for applying adhesive tape.
Enimac’s extensive history has made them a household name in the industry and is why the company is trusted by many longterm clients. “We started out by making table-top and standalone tape application machines for the printing and packing industries. As these machines can be used to apply tape to any flat substrate up to 15mm thick and 1.6m wide, we had requests from other industries
who used the machine to apply tapes to aluminium and PVC sheets. Additional industries took interest requiring other types of customised solutions, and we have since made 2-axis application solutions used in EV battery production in the automotive and ship building industries as well as 3-axis and multi-axis solutions for the white goods and furniture industries. As robots and cobots are found in industries everywhere, we’ve developed an ‘end-of-arm’ applicator to integrate onto these, with solutions used in the automotive, white goods, and other industries. Of course, we customise applicators to integrate into production lines or other machines as well,” stated Martin Buerger, company vice president.
Enimac has recently completed some modules with more axes, including the XT Multicartesian that consists of 3 rows and 2-axis linear actuators with applicators capable of applying tape and rewinding the liner. Martin explains XT Multicartesian in more detail, “This module adds a taping solution to a much larger production line. The applicators adjust for the thickness of the panel and move left and right to apply the tape where needed. A panel comes down the production line, passes through the taping module where tape is applied removing the liner with the panel coming out ready for the next assembly process. This applicator can apply tape from pancake rolls or, by integrating a spool unwinder, also from traverse wound spools.”
This type of solution has been sold to previous furniture manufacturing companies who apply foam tapes to wood panels, but Enimac ensures the solution can also work with similar flat panels using different tapes in other industries.
Enimac has been keen to showcase its new solutions to the tape industry, as well as explore, learn and gather insight on all the latest innovations and technologies available to the tape and adhesive industry.
“We’ve just come back from the Tape & Functional Film Expo Europe tradeshow in Amsterdam this March 2023, where we found new
solutions, new partners, and possible new projects. We were also at the Adhesives and Bonding Expo Europe in Stuttgart back in November 2022 where we found a new distributor and generated interest in a new industry for us, foams. At both shows we had our X-treme Light with a 25mm, 50mm and 100mm applicator and our UR10e cobot fitted with an Enimac XT Compact 60mm RW applicator, which applied tape to different substrates also removing the tape’s liner. In Amsterdam, we also brought a 2-axis solution, applying tape with or without liner on panels and profiles of different materials,” said Martin.
If you’re interested in finding out more on Enimac’s products and solutions then, visit their website: www.enimac.it or follow them on LinkedIn for news of future shows: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ enimac
Impact sucks your waste away: Automated waste packaging removal solution
With each passing year, the volume of waste plastic film, bags, cling pallet wrap, paper, and other flexible packaging materials, used by large ecommerce companies, fulfilment groups, supermarkets, mega warehouses, and distribution facilities, continues to rise. As consumer habits move away from the high street and towards online shopping and returns, this is only going to continue and contribute to a huge logistical challenge to manage unwanted flexible materials. In-house waste disposal is becoming increasingly important and more reliable and effective solutions for removing, transporting, and recycling waste, are essential.
In many instances, the simple waste bin or cage is still widely used in these facilities to allow operators to dispose of unwanted mixed packaging during their daily duty. These are then manually moved to central waste collection points or compactors.
Impact Air System’s solutions for large ecommerce and fulfilment giants are engineered to allow the operators to hand feed unwanted flexible material such as adhesive tape backing, garment bags, pallet wrapping, tissue paper or other similar waste products directly into a dedicated local suction point, located near the workstation. No more bins clogging up the work area or wasted time walking
New features on the EasyLog Cloud
LIVE MAPS are now available on the EasyLog Cloud – this new feature clearly shows the live alarm status of the area you are monitoring. Maps allow you to create a visual representation of building floor plans, storage areas or even the inside of individual fridges and freezers.
Upload your own background images, define the areas you’re monitoring and drag and drop your data loggers into place, once activated your map will come to life with live colour coding showing the alarm status of every area you have defined.
Only taking a few minutes to set up, this new feature provides users with an intuitive display of any critical areas that need attention. Only available for professional accounts, starter accounts can upgrade to a professional in their accounts setting page in their EasyLog Cloud account.
Also new to the EasyLog Cloud is SMS messaging. Receive instant text messages to alert you when conditions breach your parameter threshold. Simply add your phone number to your account setting and opt-in to receive SMS notifications from your devices.
T +44 (0)1794 884567
www.lascarelectronics.com
ADSA joins TAF
ADSA – the Automatic Door Suppliers Association – has become a member of TAF – the Trade Association Forum, which is the leading representative body for professional trade associations across the UK.
The move is intended to help ADSA become more involved in ‘bigger picture’ issues through TAF’s links with UK Government and industry leaders.
ADSA MD Ken Price said, “We are keen to be at the forefront of issues that affect the UK and the wider construction industry. TAF’s involvement with Government will help open doors and enable the voice of the automatic door industry be better heard by key decision makers and policy setters.”
TAF was founded in 1997, having been instigated by the then President of the Board of Trade, Michael Heseltine. It currently has around 130 members representing a diverse range of industries from railway and transport to jewellers and hairdressing. It recently joined forces with the Institute of Association Leadership to develop a leadership programme and resources for trade associations.
T 01827 216136
https://adsa.org.uk
to and from central compactors or waste cages. No more slip or trip hazards when waste collects on the floor, significantly reducing labour costs and time. There is also the added benefit of better recycling rates of this material if sorted at the source and bulk compacted or baled, resulting in a significant reduction in handling and transportation costs and treatment fees at the waste site.
Think vacuum cleaner, just on a much larger scale and integrated into the building’s structure. Waste is collected from the source of generation, transported through a ductwork system at a high level, freeing up valuable floor
space. A fan provides the suction, moving material at high speeds to a central recycling area for compacting or baling.
Systems can be designed to collect material from multiple workstations simultaneously and transport it long distances to a convenient point, even move the waste to the outside of the building.
Each system can be built bespoke to each packing/unpacking scenario depending on the number of workstations, material quantity and space within the facility.
T +44 (0)116 2448855 sales@impactairsystems.com www.impactairsystems.com
Semiconductor fabrication creates a number of waste gases, which can be corrosive, pyrophoric and potentially explosive. Often, diluting these gases with nitrogen (N2) is an early step in the abatement process to make sure the gases stay below the lower explosive limit (LEL) or reduce corrosive effects. However, the use of nitrogen can cause condensation and deposits, as well as leak out of the system. Here, Rob Johnston, director of the end user business segment at industrial electric heater manufacturer Watlow, explains how this can be prevented.
Abating hazardous gases
One way to abate hazardous gases in process exhaust streams is to dilute them using a less harmless gas. In semiconductor fabrication, nitrogen gas is often used because it is readily available and effective at diluting more hazardous gases prior to other abatement steps.
A good example of this solution can be seen with potentially explosive gases, such as hydrogenated gases. These gases have an explosive range, a specific range of gas concentrations where explosion is likely to occur. Gas concentrations must be kept below the lower explosive limit (LEL), which is the minimum concentration of gas needed to reach this explosive range. But mixing with nitrogen lowers the ratio, making the gas too lean to pose an explosion risk.
That said, when introducing a new gas into the exhaust stream, condensation can cause issues by creating deposits in the system. This eventually creates clogging, leading to unplanned downtime. The addition of nitrogen poses a dilemma, forcing plants to choose potential line shutdown in order to ensure safety – a trade-off no one wants to make.
An alternative solution
If adding room-temperature nitrogen into a waste stream causes condensation problems, heating the nitrogen can be a sufficient remedy.
However, getting nitrogen to temperature has proven to be a tricky engineering problem.
One of the biggest issues is with nitrogen leaks. Introducing a heater into the system can potentially create another place where nitrogen can leak, meaning that not all the nitrogen gets into the waste stream for abatement. If the leak is severe enough, the hazardous gases will not be diluted enough to ensure safety. This means that a potentially explosive gas might still be well within its explosive range.
There is limited space that can be taken up within an existing an abatement system, which limits the number of components, controllers and wires that can be added to the system, especially in multi-chamber setups.
The no-leak last resort
To overcome these challenges, a compact, no-leak heater design can ensure the reliability of exhaust abatement systems in semiconductor fabrication. For instance, Watlow’s FLUENT in-line heater is designed to allow movement of a fluid or gas over the heater surface without any loss of the fluid or gas through the outer shell.
A no-leak design not only includes a seamless stainless steel outer protection tube, but it also has the heating elements sitting outside of the fluid flow path. As a result, neither the elements nor the wiring penetrate the gas flow path, mitigating the need to weld components in place and thereby create areas where gas can escape. This design ensures that all nitrogen gas is passed along into the process, preventing any from escaping into the sub-fab.
With no leaks present, the correct mixture of gases can be assured, meaning that semiconductor manufacturers no longer need to trade-off between safety concerns and possible downtime caused by the need to flush clogged exhaust systems.
A first step in the abatement of waste gases in semiconductor fabrication should be dilution with nitrogen gas. However, engineers must consider the issues that can arise and consider opting for a solution that covers all potential issues associated with nitrogen heating. In this case, a design that is modelled around eliminating leakage can prevent clogging and downtime.
For more information about the FLUENT heater, go to: www.watlow.com
Air Pollution Control
Springs & Pressings
Group Dynamic
This year, European Springs & Pressings have been reaping the rewards of working collaboratively with their sister companies. Making their mutual platform of products and services more accessible enables them to deliver a wider range of manufacturing capability and products to their customers than ever before.
Working more closely with our UK manufacturing partners Metrol Springs and Lesjöfors Heavy Springs UK has brought significant benefits for the respective companies, as well as allowing the group to offer an unrivalled portfolio of springs, stampings and industrial hardware.
Shared attendance at exhibitions, pooling experience at cross-company strategy meetings and developing a mutual knowledge of each other’s products and specialisms has broadened the shared capability they can offer and increased the company’s sales reach considerably.
This support brings tangible benefits to clients as well. European Springs’ commitment to providing the coiling and pressing expertise customer’s need to find custommade solutions for their manufacturing processes remains unchanged, with the added assurance that when they claim to have the required capability in the UK to design and produce the optimal component at the most competitive price, they make good on that promise.
This culture of collaboration has been fostered by their parent company, Lesjöfors Springs & Pressings. Although not a household name in the UK, since its conception 150 years ago Lesjöfors has patiently and practically built from its manufacturing base by acquiring a broad network of
companies with specialist capabilities and strengths.
Lesjöfors is now the biggest spring manufacturer in the Nordic region, the third largest in Europe, and has a strong and growing presence in the US and Asia.
Lesjöfors’ culture of supporting innovation, and developing capability is why European Springs & Pressings Ltd. joined the group in 2007.
Their dedication to investment, both in people and technology, mirrors ESP’s, and has allowed them to develop as a business, as well as recruit and retain the talent, and acquire the machinery required to continually provide the high quality manufacturing that client’s demand.
The culture of collaboration developed within European Springs’ UK manufacturing family, alongside the marketleading portfolio of products and services across the Lesjöfors group, means that customers can continue to rely on the ESP promise – to provide innovative design solutions, reliable service and custom-made, quality components.
If you would like to find out more information on the company, please see the details below: T +44 (0)208 663 1800 www.europeansprings.com
